1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Dog walking and pet sitting: from your first walk to a regular round

Walk dogs, visit pets and stay over while owners are away. This guide covers real 2026 South African prices, the pet form, safety, scripts and a 14-day plan to your first paid booking.

  • 23 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 2 hours
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You are calm and confident with dogs and cats.
  • You live in an area with homes that have pets and safe places to walk.
  • You can be available early mornings, evenings or over holidays.

Think twice if

  • You are nervous around big or excitable dogs.
  • You cannot get to clients reliably on foot, by bike or by car.

Honest expectations

  • Neighbours and people you know usually book first, often within one to two weeks.
  • Published 2026 guides put a single walk at about R80 to R200 and an overnight stay at about R350 to R700.
  • Holidays are busy and other months are quieter, so build regular weekday walks.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How dog walking and pet sitting worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first pet5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Pricing and getting paid: real 2026 rates5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Write your pet form3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Post in your neighbourhood group3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first clients: where to look5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day first-booking playbook6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Meet every pet with its owner first3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Book your first regular clients3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Common mistakes new pet sitters make4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Plan holiday sitting early3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Consider small group walks3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free courses to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Phone with WhatsApp and a camera
  • Spare lead, poo bags and water bottle

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.